(Deming) – Despite opposition from environmental groups, the U.S. Department of Interior Monday signed an agreement with the New Mexico Central Arizona Project – or CAP – Entity that initiates a process to thoroughly evaluate the full range of proposed water management alternatives for the upper region of the Gila River and examine their impacts and costs.The city of Deming and Luna County are both members of the CAP Entity.U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the agreement sets out the framework for the evaluation of the Gila River Water Project and important related considerations, like the cost to New Mexico taxpayers.With the Bureau's initial cost estimates hovering around $1 billion, and only around 10 percent of that available from federal coffers, Heinrich said understanding the financial realities of this potential project will be critical.Heinrich added that based on analysis to date, he finds it hard to imagine a dam or diversion project on the Gila River that is not irresponsibly expensive as well as destructive to other economic and resource values.Supporters argue that the project is vital to supplying communities and irrigation districts in southwestern New Mexico with a new source of water.

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